Speaker Wetangula joins growing support for DP Gachagua's ouster

He was speaking at the Wamunyu Catholic Church in Machakos County, where he appeared to back legislators accusing Gachagua of tribalism.

"We must know that our diversity is the source of our strength and that is how we shall live," Wetangula said.

Wetangula was hosted by Machakos Woman Representative Joyce Kamene and has now joined a long list of politicians who have weighed in on Kenya's first motion of this kind.

He was also accompanied by legislators Patrick Makau, Charles Nguna, and Rachel Kaki, among others. 

Legislators are expected to table the impeachment motion against Gachagua on Tuesday, with reports indicating that signatures were close to reaching the required number by Friday evening.

The motion, which must be backed by 117 legislators for it to be introduced in the House, must also garner the support of 233 MPs before being transmitted to the Senate.

On Friday, House Leaders in the National Assembly, where the motion must be tabled first, told Citizen TV that the proposal was well on course and that the signature collection drive had racked up close to 300 signatures.

"I can confirm to you that signatures are being collected and have reached 260 by Thursday evening and are now nearing 300," National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya told Citizen TV.

"There is a stampede; members are moving to sign the motion," Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro added.

The legislators disclosed that the motion is expected to be tabled early next week.

The signatures, which have remained a secret by the proponents, are said to be collected by regional caucus whips, who have been holding night meetings to take a common position.

The signatures, which have remained a secret among the proponents, are said to be collected by regional caucus whips who have been holding night meetings to establish a common position.

Leaders from Rift Valley are reported to have been the first to meet on Tuesday evening with an agenda to protect the presidency.

Other groups from the Mt. Kenya, Western, and Coast  regions followed suit, with a hotel in Lavington, Nairobi, serving as the point of convergence for some groups.